2005Data sheet

2005 will be remembered by all Bordeaux's wine growers as a vintage of outstanding quality in a year which was exceptionally dry from winter to autumn with hot and sunny weather at the end of spring and during summer, which never developed into a heat wave. The ripening process, which began quite early, went very smoothly for all of the grape varieties. Throughout the summer and early autumn, right up to the picking, the fine, sunny days and cool nights enabled the berries to gradually build up concentration of colour, sugars, fruit and aromas. The grapes were picked unhurriedly between September 12th and 21st.

The berries were vinified over three weeks, variety by variety, taking into account the age and soils of each plot. The wines were then aged for 18 months in new oak barrels. The final blend chosen for the 2005 Vieux Château Certan was 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, with no Cabernet Sauvignon at all.

Vieux Château Certan 2005 can be compared with the 1989 vintage as well as with some other outstanding vintages. It displays a wonderful balance between aromatic freshness, acidity, concentration and tannic richness. It shows great Merlot character and can start being enjoyed over the next few years and also for many years to come, thanks to its huge ageing potential.

"For maximum enjoyment, it should be decanted several hours in advance if it is young, and at the last moment when it is older."

Alexandre Thienpont